Just west of Square One in Mississauga, construction is well underway at the site of Wesley Tower at Daniels City Centre, a pair of 19 and 43-storey, Rafael + Bigauskas Architects-designed condominium towers coming to the intersection of Confederation Parkway and City Centre Drive. When we last checked in on construction back in May, a second crane had just been installed and the first formwork for columns and walls was in place for the lowest parking level.

Forming for underground levels at Wesley Tower, image by Forum contributor Jasonzed

In the weeks since our May update, forming for the garage has progressed a fair bit. Most of the remaining walls and columns have since been formed for the lowest parking level, while a central ramp structure, floor forms, and the first rebar cages for structural columns are evident for the next level.

A soil ramp that previously provided access to the excavated pit for crews and machinery is now gradually disappearing. With the cranes and temporary staircases now capable of moving crews and equipment, the ramp represents the final stage of excavation. Once this area has been cleared, the final area of the lowest parking level will be formed.

Forming for underground levels at Wesley Tower, image by Forum contributor Jasonzed

Forming of the remaining parking levels will progress over the next few months, followed by the start of work on the five-storey podium structure that will support the two towers. So far, Daniels has focused their marketing on the 43-story first phase tower, which still has a few remaining units. The only information about the 19-storey second phase exists as a ghostly background feature in the first phase tower rendering.

Wesley Tower at Daniels City Centre, image courtesy of The Daniels Corporation

Additional information and images can be found in our database file for the Wesley Tower, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.

On the south side of Dundas Street East, between Jarvis and Sherbourne, Menkes Developments is seeking approval to construct a 21-storey predominantly residential project designed by Turner Fleischer Architects. The project, dubbed in.DE Dundas East & Jarvis Condominiums, would create space for several hundred residents to the site in City’s Garden District, just east of Ryerson University, and provide new retail space at ground level. 

View of the subject site relative to its surroundings, image retrieved via submission to the City of Toronto

Due to the building’s terminating vista potential and the surrounding built form, the project’s design has been adapted over the last months to respond to the requests made by the City’s Planning Department. As reported in 2017, the current proposal’s height, density, and design have been reconfigured. However, as the proposal seeks Site Plan Approval from the City, additional changes have been made. 

Dundas facade of in.DE Condominiums, image retrieved via submission to the City of Toronto

According to the latest documents submitted to the City, the building's gross floor area has been reduced to 14,115 m², of which 210 m² would be allocated for commercial purposes. The building's remaining 13,905 m² of residential space would comprise of 222 residential dwellings. The condominium units breakdown as follows: 35 studios, 144 one-bedrooms, 20 two-bedrooms, and 23 three-bedrooms. Residents and their guests would be accommodated by 76 underground parking spots and 224 underground bicycle parking spots. Residents would have access to 700 m² of indoor amenity space comprising of a yoga & fitness studio, event space, theatre, and dining lounge. In addition, in.DE would provide residents with 216 m² of outdoor amenities located on a second-floor terrace. 

Pedestrian view looking west from Pembroke Street, image retrieved via submission to the City of Toronto

The latest submission also includes details regarding the building's exterior finishings. The building’s design includes a three-storey podium with similar height and materiality that aims to blend with the established heritage buildings to the east of the site on Dundas. The tower levels would be defined by an aluminium window wall glazing system, architectural concrete, a metal panelling system and aluminium framed balconies. 

Podium view looking west along Dundas East, image retrieved via submission to the city of Toronto

Additional information and images can be found in our database file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment in the field at the bottom of this page.

Nobu Residences Toronto broke ground today with an event that could have easily been mistaken for a Toronto Film Festival happening. The star-studded ground breaking was to celebrate the start of construction for the development by Madison Group and Westdale Properties, and was headlined by Hollywood icon Robert DeNiro, film producer Meir Teper, celebrity chef and project namesake Nobu Matsuhisa, while Toronto Mayor John Tory and the Toronto developers were on hand to fill out the stage.

Crowds line the Nobu ground breaking, image by Jack Landau

Crowds of onlookers gathered to the east and west on Mercer Street, which was closed off to traffic and pedestrians to accommodate the festivities. Around noon, a pair of traditional Taiko drummers began to play—a nod to the project's Japanese influences—as project principals, celebrity investors, and other VIPs took to the stage to begin the ceremony.

Nobu Toronto ground breaking, image by Jack Landau

Following remarks from Madison Group representatives, then Meir Teper, then Nobu Matsuhisa—all focusing on the project—the most notable and headline-grabbing speech came from Robert DeNiro, who triggered a cacophony of shutter clicks and a round of applause with an apology on behalf of the United States for their President's conduct at the recently concluded G7 summit in Quebec.

Robert DeNiro at the Nobu ground breaking, image by Jack Landau

The mic then went to Mayor John Tory, who delivered the final remarks before the ceremony photo op, thanking all of those involved in the project for their significant investment in Toronto.

Mayor John Tory at the Nobu ground breaking, image by Jack Landau

After Mayor Tory's remarks, the VIPs gathered for a sake toast, followed by the ceremonial first shovels, inscribed to commemorate the event.

Ceremonial ground breaking for Nobu, image by Jack Landau

Ceremonial ground breaking for Nobu, image by Jack Landau

The ceremonies rarely match up with the actual start of construction, and that was the case again today: no heavy equipment was evident at the site of the Teeple Architects-designed twin 45-storey towers, though building permits are currently under review by City staff, with a shoring permit most recently applied for on June 1st. Some demolition work behind the heritage facades (to be retained) is no doubt under way.

Nobu Residences Toronto, image courtesy of Madison Group/Westdale Properties

You can find out more about this development from our database file, linked below. Want to talk about the project? You can get in on the conversation by visiting the associated Forum threads, or by leaving a comment in the field provided on this page.

In July 2016, City Council confirmed its support for the locations of six new SmartTrack station and two new GO stations. As the City of Toronto and Metrolinx continue to collaborate on the planning process for the development of SmartTrack and its integration with GO RER, they are hosting online town halls to consult on the new stations in accordance with the Transit Project Assessment Process. 

Map of the proposed new SmartTrack and Go stations, image, City of Toronto

As we reported in October 2017, during the transit project environmental assessment process, the city and Metrolinx continue to examine the potential effects of each of these new stations, gathering input from the public and stakeholders at several stages. These measures are being taken to refine the design and planning of the project, to reduce the impact of the stations on the nearby neighbourhoods, on natural features and on the transportation system

The latest King-Liberty station plans as an example of what's underway, image courtesy of Metrolinx

At the online town halls, information will be provided on the work underway for the new SmartTrack/GO stations, including environmental studies. Also, as Mayor John Tory has stressed the importance of public feedback, there will be an opportunity for you to ask questions and provide comments about the project

To attend the live, online town halls, visit the webpage (smarttrack.to/townhall) or call 800.457.6180 (toll-free) during the times that follow:

Monday, June 18, 2018: East

• 7 PM – 8 PM
• Station Focus: Finch-Kennedy and Lawrence Kennedy SmartTrack Stations

Wednesday, June 20, 2018: Centre

• 7 PM – 8 PM
• Station Focus: Gerrard-Carlaw, East Harbour SmartTrack Stations, and Spadina-Front GO Station

Thursday, June 21, 2018: West

• 7 PM – 8 PM
• Station Focus: St. Clair-Old Weston, King Liberty SmartTrack Stations, and Bloor-Lansdowne GO Station

Today's Photo of the Day features a view of River City 3, a new Saucier + Perrotte Architects and ZAS Architects-designed condo tower under construction in Toronto's West Don Lands area. Part of a series of photos submitted by Forum contributor Mafaldaboy, this view shows the topped-out tower as seen from the wetland at Corktown Common.

River City 3 viewed from Corktown Common, image by Forum contributor Mafaldaboy

Want to see your work featured as Photo of the Day? Head over to the City Photos & Videos section of the Forum, or submit your images to our Instagram or UrbanToronto Flickr Pool for your chance to be featured on our Front Page.

TTC Plans For a Zero-Emission Bus Fleet; Permanent cycle track for Toronto's Prince Edward Viaduct?; NDP's Andrea Horwath speaks on CBC's Metro Morning for 1st time since Ontario election; and more news:

TTC Plans For a Zero-Emission Bus Fleet (Steve Munro)

What would Banksy think of people paying to see his work? We asked his former agent (CBC News)

Permanent cycle track for Toronto's Prince Edward Viaduct? (Inside Toronto)

NDP's Andrea Horwath speaks on CBC's Metro Morning for 1st time since Ontario election (CBC News)

Complaints about nosy landlords on the rise (Metro News)

De Niro apologizes in Toronto for 'the idiotic behaviour of my president'(CBC News)

Global news from our sister site, SkyriseCities.com:

The Ribbon on the Rise in Sydney (Sydney)

West Village Towers on the Rise (Calgary)

AHS Planning $364 Million CapitalCare Norwood Revamp (Edmonton)

Kaslo Coming Soon to Hastings-Sunrise (Vancouver)

Just over two years after demolition cleared away the former Singtao newspaper building at Power and Adelaide streets in Toronto's Corktown neighbourhood, demolition of other buildings on the assembled property for home: Power and Adelaide is back on. Work has been ongoing over the last month, and will soon leave a clean slate for the new high-rise condominium development by Great Gulf and Hullmark.

Aerial view facing north over the site, image by Forum contributor Razz

Now gone are a single-storey former Hertz facility on Parliament Street, and a connected two-storey condominium presentation centre on Richmond Street. Most recently, a two-storey home at 52 Power Street was taken down, leaving just one building remaining on the site; a 3.5-storey office building at 125 Parliament Street.

Demolition of the two-storey home at 52 Power Street, image by Forum contributor Razz

A demolition permit for it was issued on May 30th, and interior work is now underway. Following any backfilling required to create a flat surface, shoring of the site is next, for which a partial permit was issued by the City in March, meaning that initial work on the earth retention system could proceed right away.

Remaining office building at 125 Parliament Street, image by Forum contributor Razz

The 21-storey Core Architects-designed development will bring 550 one to three-bedroom condo units to the King-Parliament area, with unit sizes ranging from 450 ft² to 1,300 ft². The project will also introduce new retail, helping to animate the site's Parliament and Adelaide frontages.

home: Power and Adelaide, image courtesy of Great Gulf/Hullmark

Additional information and images can be found in our database file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.

Roughly three months since shoring work marked the start of construction of Tridel's Via Bloor, activity is progressing at the site of the two-tower condo development at Bloor and Parliament across in central Toronto. Following the completion of drilling for the site's shoring system back in May, excavation is now well underway for the shared four-level garage that will serve the 38 and 46-storey architectsAlliance-designed towers above.

Crews from Michael Bros Excavation have already dug out a substantial quality of soil, revealing tandem pile and lagging and caisson wall shoring systems. With the excavation now sitting over one level below grade, crews from Deep Foundations are now on site to begin installing the first row of tiebacks. They are used to anchor the shoring walls securely into the surrounding earth.

Excavation at the site of Via Bloor, image by Forum contributor androiduk

The five-month shoring and excavation phase should wrap up next month, as per a construction timeline issued earlier in the year. Forming will follow and continue into May 2020. If everything proceeds as expected, cladding installation could begin as early as next May. Initial residential occupancies are projected to begin as soon as February 2021.

Excavation at the site of Via Bloor, image via Tridel construction webcam

Via Bloor will add 669 new homes to the area, with 372 suites housed in the 38-storey tower, and 297 suites in the 46-storey tower. The surrounding community will benefit from significant public realm contributions by landscape architects Janet Rosenberg + Studio, including a 623 m² public space addressing the curving intersection of Howard, Bloor, and Parliament Streets.

Via Bloor, image courtesy of Tridel

Additional information and images can be found in our database file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.

The second phase of Solmar Development Corporation's Edge Towers project officially launched in Mississauga this past weekend with a VIP broker event held at its on-site presentation centre. Brokers flocked to the 24 Elm Drive West presentation centre—just south of the Burnhamthorpe and Hurontario intersection—on Saturday to get first access to the 40-storey, Roy Varacalli-designed development's 422 condominium units.

Edge T2, image courtesy of Solmar

Attendees had the chance to explore the presentation centre's model suite and review floorplans, pricing and incentives. Brokers were told of the various selling points, ranging from suite finishes to planned local infrastructure, such as the upcoming Hurontario LRT line.

Broker launch for Edge T2, image courtesy of Davie Real Estate

While the public launch for this second phase—marketed as Edge T2—is still upcoming, the first units are now available through brokers. Edge T2 is offering one-bedroom, one-bedroom-plus-den, and two-bedroom suites, with unit sizes ranging from 492 ft² to 721 ft².

Broker launch for Edge T2, image courtesy of Davie Real Estate

Residents will have access to a variety of amenity spaces appointed by Dochia Interior Design, set to include a fitness centre, Wi-Fi lounge, movie theatre, billiards room, guest suites, and a party room opening onto an outdoor terrace with a fire feature and grilling areas. We will take a closer look at these in the near future as new information continues to be released.

Edge Towers, image courtesy of Solmar

Additional information and images can be found in our database file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment using the field provided at the bottom of this page.

Laneway housing may finally be coming to Toronto. Last week, a Toronto East York Community Council (TEYCC) meeting cleared the way for City Council to approve a long-awaited policy to allow secondary residential units in the city's car-dominated back lanes. Spanning thousands of kilometres, there are over 2,400 such laneways across Toronto, many of which are quietly tucked behind some of our leafiest and most desirable streets. Now, they are one step closer to being unlocked.

June 6th's TEYCC vote advanced a Planning Department framework dubbed "Changing Lanes," which outlines the City's strategy for allowing new development. The plan would allow back lanes across the old City of Toronto to be redeveloped with one- and two-storey homes, which would remain legally tied to their host properties. Drawing utilities via the homes in front of them, the small secondary suites—which would be relatively constricted in size and suite configuration—could serve as rental units or so-called "granny suites."  

Typical residential laneway in Little Portugal, image by edk7 via Flickr.

The idea has obvious appeal. Amidst an unprecedented affordability crisis, the infusion of new housing supply is welcome, while the redistribution of spatially inefficient vehicle space — most laneways are occupied by garages — into homes offers additional density with little palpable impact on neighbourhood built form. While site assembly, land costs, and outdated zoning make widespread mid-rise and "missing middle" development difficult, the creation of laneway housing presents a rare opportunity for incremental density. In a city increasingly defined by the stark and sometimes jarring transitions between high-rise point towers and single-family homes, that's important. 

A laneway suite can be thought of as analogous to a basement apartment, illustration by Lanescape

It takes little more than a few words with a neighbour — or, if you have the constitution for it, a community development meeting — to learn that new development is often contested in Toronto. However, the implementation of a laneway home policy has relatively strong public support. In extensive consultations undertaken by the City (together with Lanescape and Evergreen), a cautiously positive outlook emerged. The perceived sanctity of parking aside, many Torontonians seem to appreciate the potential of modest density. Meanwhile, the lack of provision for severances in the "Changing Lanes" policy also mean that individual homeowners get to expand their property — and its value. Complaints about new density and development are more seldom heard when neighbourhood homeowners are also the developers. 

A graphic explains the nature of a laneway home, image via Evergreen Canada

Despite the public support, taking any space away from cars remains frustratingly difficult in Toronto politics. Widely celebrated by urbanists, the TEYCC vote was hardly a foregone conclusion, especially considering an earlier version of a laneway plan was quickly struck down by Council in 2006. 12 years ago, concerns about cars, servicing, privacy, and neighbourhood character carried the day. Now, the balance has finally shifted. 

So what will it all mean?

According to the Planning Department's estimates, "there may be as few as 100 or as many as 300 laneway suites constructed in each year following the implementation of these guidelines." Considering the scope of Toronto's population growth and housing demand, it's unlikely to make a big difference. It's still the right thing to do. 

A map showing many of Toronto's 2,400+ laneways, image via The Laneway Project

Laneway housing will not solve or meaningfully ameliorate the housing crisis, but it could help foster new ways of seeing the city. Towers rise, but Toronto's low-rise neighbourhoods are continuing to depopulate through "overhousing" and prohibitive land costs. The density of neighbourhoods like The Annex and Riverdale isn't merely contingent on development and built form, but also on how we use what's already here. There's more space left than meets the eye, and a latent capacity for density is embedded within the city's existing urban fabric. As back lanes come to the forefront, we might learn to see a garage for a potential home, and a car for a waste of space. 

Today's Photo of the Day features a view of Tridel and Hines'Aqualina at Bayside, part of the emerging East Bayfront community on Toronto's waterfront. Submitted by Forum contributor Mafaldaboy, this view shows the 13-storey Arquitectonica-designed condominium development, viewed from Sherbourne Common. The under-construction Monde can be seen topped out at 44 storeys in the background.

Aqualina at Bayside, image by Forum contributor Mafaldaboy

Want to see your work featured as Photo of the Day? Head over to the City Photos & Videos section of the Forum, or submit your images to our Instagram or UrbanToronto Flickr Pool for your chance to be featured on our Front Page.

Mayor Tory announced Vision Zero two years ago Wednesday. 93 pedestrians or cyclists have died on Toronto streets since that date; Toronto expected to host some 2026 World Cup games after North America wins bid; Uber, Lyft pilot project at Pearson Airport is ‘unfair,’ taxi industry representatives say; and more news:

Mayor Tory announced Vision Zero two years ago Wednesday. 93 pedestrians or cyclists have died on Toronto streets since that date (Toronto Star)

Toronto expected to host some 2026 World Cup games after North America wins bid (CBC News)

Toronto will charge manufacturers to join blue-bin program (Toronto Star)

Uber, Lyft pilot project at Pearson Airport is ‘unfair,’ taxi industry representatives say (Globe and Mail)

Why I revived the Bureau of Municipal Research (Spacing Toronto)

Toronto, Montreal airports have slowest free Wi-Fi in North America (Toronto Star)

YRT rebrands... slightly (Transit Toronto)

Global news from our sister site, SkyriseCities.com:

The Atlas Nears Completion in London's Tech City District (London)

BC Housing Proposal for Grandview-Woodland Stirs Controversy (Vancouver)

Quarry Bay Releases New Renderings for Brentwood Commons (Calgary)

Central Tower at Century Park Rises Above Grade (Edmonton)

Over the last few weeks, demolition has been clearing the site of a planned 38-storey condominium tower on Yonge Street, north of College, in Downtown Toronto. Known as Halo Residences on Yonge, the architectsAlliance-designed project from Cresford Developments will come with a noteworthy restoration of the heritage 1871-built Fire Hall No.3’s clock tower, most recently associated with the St Charles Tavern.

Demolition for Halo Residences on Yonge, image by Forum contributor AlvinofDiaspar

Demolition has already cleared the north end of the site’s footprint at 490-492 Yonge Street. To the south, the second storey of 488 Yonge Street has been cleared, revealing areas of the heritage clock tower not seen by passersby for decades. The latest views reveal complex brickwork and a series of three porthole windows, with a scaffold now in place for restoration crews.

Demolition for Halo Residences on Yonge, image by Forum contributor AlvinofDiaspar

Later on during construction, the clock tower will be repositioned closer to Yonge Street. This restored element will be joined by a section with fritted glazing that replicates the Yonge Street facade of the former fire hall, as well as a facade restoration and retention of 480 Yonge to the south, currently covered up by generations of exterior renovations. According to heritage retention plans, this facade will be retained in situ during construction.

Demolition for Halo Residences on Yonge, image by Forum contributor AlvinofDiaspar

Upon completion, the new tower will bring 425 condominium units and 26 rental units to Yonge Street, resulting in a mix of 8 studio units, 183 one-bedroom units, 212 two-bedroom units, and 48 three-bedroom units.

Halo Residences on Yonge, image via submission to City of Toronto

Additional information and images can be found in our database file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment using the field provided at the bottom of this page. 

Big news came out of the sporting world today with the announcement that Canada, Mexico, and the United States have won their united bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which would include matches held right here in Toronto. The North American United bid was selected in a landslide with 67% of the votes, more than double the votes of Morocco, the only other competing bid.

The World Cup will include 48 teams playing a total of 80 games. While the majority of these games (60) would be held in the United States, as many as 10 matches will take place in Canada, with venues split between host cities Toronto, Montreal, and Edmonton. Vancouver was originally included in the bid, though the city dropped out prior to the final vote over funding concerns.

Toronto’s main venue for FIFA 2026 World Cup games would be BMO Field. The facility completed a massive renovation and expansion back in 2015, adding 8,400 seats, new dressing rooms and suites, audiovisual system upgrades, and a full-size canopy covering the majority of seating. Information included in the 2026 bid reveals that the stadium would undergo another significant expansion to prepare it for the world stage.

BMO Field during a Toronto FC game, image by Jack Landau

The existing capacity of 28,560 would be expanded yet again, with plans for the facility to accommodate 45,000 spectators to meet requirements of the tournament. It is expected that the seating expansion would be temporary, similar to the temporary seating installed at BMO Field for the recent NHL Centennial Classic and the MLS Cup Final.

Aerial view of BMO Field, image by Craig White

Allan Lamport Stadium, Cherry Beach Fields, KIA/BMO Training Ground, and Sunnybrook Park Fields would all be used as team facilities, though the bid includes no mention of proposed upgrades for these facilities.

Lamport Stadium, image by Forum contributor Jasonzed

The biggest unanswered questions focus on the cost of hosting the event. A funding partnership is expected between all three levels of government, with the City’s share expected to be in the vicinity of $30-45 million. 

Let us know what you think using the comments section provided below, or by visiting our dedicated Forum thread for the 2026 World Cup.

Yet another office tower is underway in Downtown Toronto, with Cadillac Fairview’s announcement that a new 46-storey tower at 160 Front Street West will begin construction in 2019. The $800 million, AS + GG Architecture-designed office tower will add 1.2 million square feet of office space and 12,290 square feet of retail space to the west edge of the Financial District, responding to historic lows in office vacancies.

Looking west on Front Street to 160 Front Street West, image via CNW Group/Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited

Announcing the project, a statement from Cadillac Fairview President and CEO John Sullivan reads, "This city continues to experience record-low vacancy rates, fueled by demand for quality, sustainable office space across a broad array of clients, and in particular the tech and financial sectors. With space availability in downtown Toronto at the lowest level in over 25 years, we see tremendous opportunity for this development."

Located at the northeast corner of Front Street and Simcoe Street, the tower will rise 240 metres into the Financial District skyline, becoming the city's 8th tallest building in the process. Today’s news release also includes the first details of the tower’s tenants, with the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTPP) set to occupy a full 9 floors of the tower, relocating from their current head office in North York.

A statement from Ron Mock, President and CEO of OTPP, reads "Toronto is a vibrant and international city, and the downtown core is a major hub of finance. We believe this is the right time to plan our move closer to our partners and the pool of talent we will need to see us into the future. This new building will have many attractive elements to help foster teamwork and innovation, in a healthy and sustainable environment that is close to many different transit options.”

Construction is expected to begin next year, with plans to complete the building by Fall 2022.

Looking north to 160 Front Street West, image via submission to City of Toronto

Additional information and images can be found in our database file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum thread, or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.

128 Hazelton Avenue, at the southwest corner of Davenport and Hazelton, in Toronto's Yorkville neighbourhood, is the site of a new Mizrahi Developments 9-storey luxury condominium. Designed by AUDAX architecture, the 18-unit building is the final phase of three adjacent mid-rise buildings along Davenport by Mizrahi. The project—which has zoning approval and its first set of permits—seeks Site Plan Approval from Planning as excavation continues and construction looms on the horizon. 

Site and surroundings, image retrieved via Google Maps

Work on the site has progressed over the last few months. Shoring was underway over the course of the winter months, and excavation on the site began earlier this spring. Efforts on the site continue below-grade, as crews work on the three levels of underground parking and the building's structural foundation.

View of the excavation underway on the site, image via Forum contributor Benito

As the developers submit new plans to the city, a few changes have been made to the proposed mixed-use building. The project’s total gross floor area (GFA) has been reduced to 5,420 m², of which 370 m² is proposed for at-grade commercial space, an increase from the original renderings. The buildings’ reduced residential GFA results in fewer dwelling units. The 18 suites break down as follows: 5 one-bedrooms, 8 two-bedrooms, and 5 three-bedrooms. The building's patrons will be accommodated by 23 bicycle parking spots, and 39 underground vehicular parking spots, of which 35 are for residential use, 2 for residential guests, and 2 for those using the office space at-grade. 

Southeast facing view of the site and the adjacent property, image retrieved via submission to the City of Toronto

In addition, changes have been made to the plans for the buildings exterior finishing. Revisions have been made to the proposal's front entrance, with the front archway simplified and widened. Furthermore, the south wing on Hazelton has been reduced by one storey, the exterior expression on the second tier has also been simplified, narrow windows have been incorporated into the grid facades, and finally, the rounded northeast corner been recessed, creating a clearer division between the facades. 

Southwest facing at-grade view of 128 Hazelton, image via submission to the City of Toronto

Additional information and images can be found in our database file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment in the field at the bottom of this page.

Today's Photo of the Day features a dramatic view of U Condominiums, a pair of 56- and 46-storey, architectsAlliance-designed condo towers, a few blocks south of Toronto's Bay and Bloor intersection. Submitted by Forum contributor Tarazet, this black and white shot shows sunlight illuminating the towers' balconies.

U Condominiums, image by Forum contributor Tarazet

Want to see your work featured as Photo of the Day? Head over to the City Photos & Videos section of the Forum, or submit your images to our Instagram or UrbanToronto Flickr Pool for your chance to be featured on our Front Page.

Dundas-Carlaw history comes to life with heritage plaque district; Developer sues Markham residents over ‘improper’ OMB appeals; Cirque du Soleil is coming soon to a shopping mall near you, starting with Toronto; and more news:

Dundas-Carlaw history comes to life with heritage plaque district (Toronto Star)

Uncle Premier: Coun. Michael Ford says election result 'huge win for Toronto'(Inside Toronto)

Developer sues Markham residents over ‘improper’ OMB appeals (Toronto Star)

Cirque du Soleil is coming soon to a shopping mall near you, starting with Toronto (Financial Post)

‘It’s time to declare a state of emergency’: Anger, calls for change follow deaths on Toronto streets (Toronto Star)

Cadillac Fairview is building a $800-million office tower in Toronto that will be Teachers’ new home (Financial Post)

Global news from our sister site, SkyriseCities.com:

3550 South Ocean Tops Off in Palm Beach (Miami)

The Royal at Victoria Hill Reaches Completion in New Westminster (Vancouver)

Victory and Venture Marda Loop on the Rise in South Calgary (Calgary)

18-KM Stretch of Anthony Henday Drive to be Widened to Six Lanes (Edmonton)

This week’s Throwback Thursday takes us five years back to 2013 for a view of Tridel and Hines’ at-the-time featureless Bayside community on Toronto’s waterfront, as construction was just getting going on the community’s presentation centre, now located near where Queens Quay meets Parliament Street. Over the years that have followed, the gradual realization of this community is just now beginning to bring residents to this formerly industrial stretch of waterfront.

Looking southwest to the site of the Bayside community, April 2013, image by Forum contributor Razz

Fast forward to May of this year, first phase Aqualina is now complete and occupied at the far right of the image below, while second phase Aquavista is structurally complete and now in the process of being enclosed with cladding. To the east of Aquavista, work recently began for the third phase of Bayside called Aquabella, while site preparation is getting going for fourth phase Aqualuna.

Looking southwest to the Bayside community, May 2018, image by Forum contributor Razz

We will return next week with another look at the changing face of Toronto!

Several years after Pinnacle International acquired the Toronto Star Lands at the foot of Yonge Street, construction is now moving forward on the first phase of Pinnacle One Yonge. The multi-tower, Hariri Pontarini Architects-designed community will eventually include five towers, including a 95-storey, 1,007 ft tower set to become one of the country's tallest buildings. Before the marquee tower becomes a reality, Pinnacle is proceeding with the first phase of the community, a 65-storey condo tower known as The Prestige.

Construction began early this year with the closing of a ballpark-shaped surface parking lot north of the Toronto Star building. By mid-March, a section of the parking lot had been closed to vehicles and enclosed with hoarding, and by the start of April, shoring activity had begun to form the site's below-grade retaining walls. In the over two months since our initial construction update, excavation has begun for the site's six-level underground garage. 

Facing southeast over the site of The Prestige, image by Forum contributor cc46

The first excavation activity was spotted in May, with crews from Michael Bros Excavation digging trenches around the site's perimeter. These trenches were dug to allow a pair of drilling rigs to begin installation on the first row of tiebacks used to anchor the shoring walls to the surrounding soil. More recently, excavation has begun to move inward from the site's west edge.

Excavation for The Prestige, image by Forum contributor cc46

Upon completion, The Prestige will introduce the first 497 condominium units to what will eventually be one of the city's most densely-populated blocks. The first tower will include 1,148 m2 of retail space, as well as a new 4,772 m2 community centre to serve area residents.

The Prestige, image courtesy of Pinnacle International

Additional information and images can be found in our database file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.